Are the Whole System Demonstrator trial results a watershed moment for the rise of telehealth?

Are the Whole System Demonstrator trial results a watershed moment for the rise of telehealth?: Nick Goodwin asks if new government strategies and positive results from the Whole Systems Demonstrator trials will encourage new investment into telehealth. Kings Fund

NHS Outcomes Framework – renewed focus on improving patient results

NHS Outcomes Framework – renewed focus on improving patient results:

The updated NHS Outcomes Framework 2012/13 renews the focus on improving patient results. The NHS will be measured against a number of areas including whether a patient’s treatment was successful, whether they were looked after well by NHS staff and whether they recovered quickly after treatment

The updated NHS Outcomes Framework describes the changes made since the December 2010 edition. The first framework sets out the outcomes that the NHS Commissioning Board will be held to account for delivering, with corresponding indicators. The updated version recaps the purpose of the NHS Outcomes Framework and how it will work in the wider system; and highlights the main indicator changes. It also contains a technical appendix which provides detailed information about each of the indicators in the framework. Department of Health

Fresh NHS pensions offer expected

Fresh NHS pensions offer expected: In the search for a public sector pensions deal, the government is expected to announce a new offer on NHS pensions. BBC News

Exclusive: GPC warns UK-wide GP contract is heading for collapse

Exclusive: GPC warns UK-wide GP contract is heading for collapse: The UK-wide GP contract is heading for collapse in three to five years as NHS reforms create a 'gulf' between England and the other UK nations, GPC leaders have warned. GP Online

Lifestyle factors and cancer

Lifestyle factors and cancer: Research carried out by Cancer Research UK and published in the British Journal of Cancer shows that cigarettes, diet, alcohol and obesity are behind more than 100,000 cancers. This figure further increases to around 134,000 when taking into account all 14 lifestyle and environmental risk factors analysed in this study. Smoking is the most important lifestyle factor causing 23 per cent of cancers in men and 15.6 per cent in women (nearly one in five cancers). Overall the review shows that 45 per cent of all cancers in men could be prevented compared with 40 per cent of all cancers in women.

British Journal of Cancer (Supplement):
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/groups/cr_common/@nre/@new/@pre/documents/generalcontent/cr_080626.pdf

Cancer Research UK:
http://info.cancerresearchuk.org/news/archive/pressrelease/2011-11-07-cigarettes-diet-alcohol-and-obesity-behind-more-than-100000-cancers

BBC News report:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16031149

Lifestyle and work changes 'would prevent 40 per cent of cancers'

Lifestyle and work changes 'would prevent 40 per cent of cancers': More than 40 per cent of all cancers in the UK could be prevented by avoiding unhealthy lifestyles and environmental risks, according to research.

New service models in mental health: emerging lessons

New service models in mental health: emerging lessons: This digest highlights recent research around the organisation and delivery of mental health services and new ways of working. NHS Confederation

NHS Confederation comments on NHS Outcomes Framework 2012/13 announcement

NHS Confederation comments on NHS Outcomes Framework 2012/13 announcement: Mike Farrar said the measurements will allow trusts to take a more rounded view on the quality of care provided to patients.

Greater support for local government in new public health role

Greater support for local government in new public health role NICE is to help local government make the most of limited resources to commission the best possible public health services, by developing a series of value-for-money briefings. NICE

Lansley's 60 new 'goals' to improve NHS standards

Lansley's 60 new 'goals' to improve NHS standards:

Andrew Lansley, the Health Secretary, announced a new drive to raise NHS standards yesterday by switching attention away from waiting times, cancelled operations and ward cleanliness. The Independent

NHS reforms causing chaos, says BMA

NHS reforms causing chaos, says BMA:

The Government's reforms of the NHS "continue to cause chaos" on the ground, doctors leaders said today. The Independent

Lung cancer patients receiving better care as UK narrows gap on leading countries

Lung cancer patients receiving better care as UK narrows gap on leading countries: The National Lung Cancer Audit today shows the percentage of patients receiving key care measures, such as surgery or anti-cancer treatment like chemo... NHS Information Centre